For most parents, when they ask their children which instrument they would like to play, they cross their fingers and hope they don't say "drums!" For obvious reasons, parents would prefer that their children learn to play instruments with more controllable volume levels. As loud as electric guitar can be when played through an amplifier, there is still a volume knob that can be turned down. But many parents are unaware of what could be their sanity's savior... Electric drums.

The Benefits Of Electric Drums

Electric drums have many benefits over acoustic drums. The first, and often most desired benefit, is the fact that they have a volume knob. The sound of the drum pads themselves makes a little bit of noise, but it is quite often quieter than even an acoustic guitar. The sound level can be turned up when played through an amp or speakers, but headphones can also be used so the student can hear the drums without disturbing the entire house. So for those parents out there who say "no" to drums because of volume, the electric drum set can be an excellent compromise so students can learn the instrument they want and still keep the volume down.

Another advantage of electric drums is that they can be a lot of fun for young students because they can produce many different sounds. You can customize the sounds of every drum pad to be different, and kids usually love to play with the possibilities. This is a great benefit because it makes learning fun and keeps the student's interest, especially for very young drummers. Also, electric drum kits don't take up much room and can easily be positioned in the corner of a room without being too bulky.

The Benefits Of Acoustic Drums

There are many benefits of acoustic drums over electric drums as well. The first advantage is the fact that they feel more natural to play on. As a drummer, one of the most important aspects of technique is understanding how to utilize the "rebound" of the stick to your advantage. Electric drums have much more rebound than acoustic drums, which seems like a good thing but can end up being a disadvantage. If a student gets too comfortable with relying on the extra bounce that electric drums produce then it can make the transition to an acoustic drum set much more difficult. If a student gets comfortable on acoustic drums then the transition to electric drums is very simple. It has a more natural feel and is better suited for students who are wanting to take their drumming to the next level and focus on proper technique.

Another benefit of acoustic drum sets is actually what seems to many parents as a negative. The sound produced, though loud, is much more desirable for a live performance or recording environment. They have a much more natural and organic sound and are preferred by live sound engineers and recording engineers alike. However, this is usually more of a benefit down the line when a student becomes comfortable enough behind the kit to be able to perform in a band situation. For starting out as a beginner this may not be a significant benefit.

Which is right for you?

Now that you know a few of the benefits of both acoustic and electric drum sets, making the decision that is right for you can come down to your student's goals, their practice environment, and your budget. Say you have a nice spot in a part of the house that can contain the sound well and your student has aspirations of playing in a band. In this situation, you would have both the ability to have acoustic drums without driving yourselves or your neighbors crazy, plus the drum kit has a good necessity for your student's goals. On the other hand, for a family in a smaller home or an apartment with a student who is just starting off and just wants to play for fun, an electric drum set could be the right choice. The volume can be contained much easier, it takes up less space, and it can produce many fun sounds the student may enjoy. From a price perspective, an entry level electric drum set is usually more cost prohibitive than an entry level acoustic drum set. Prices for both kinds can get to be quite pricey if you want to spend the money, but getting started can be a little easier on the wallet with on a starter acoustic kit. Electric drums do tend to hold their value quite well, though.

Still Need Some Help? Give Us A Call!

We help people find and buy drum sets all the time. In fact, we help people buy guitars, keyboards, and other instruments on a regular basis. If you need to find the right drum set for your child at the right price then just give us a call at (310) 927-1733 and we can help you figure out what your student needs. Our great drum teachers can also help your student become the best drummer they can be in the comfort of your home. We try to make everything easy for both you and your kids from buying drums to playing them. Thanks for reading, and happy drumming!

The Age Old Question (At Least Since The Invention Of The Electric Guitar In 1931)

We hear this question almost every time people call for guitar lessons for their kids: "Should we buy them an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar?" The answer varies depending on both who you ask and who the guitar is for. In this edition of the Right Start Music Blog, we will try to help you make the decision that is right for your child so they can get the most out of guitar lessons and have the most fun possible!

The Benefits Of Acoustic Guitar For Beginner Guitarists

Acoustic guitars have some benefits for beginner guitar students. Anybody with experience playing both acoustic and electric guitars will tell you that acoustic guitars take more effort to play. Once you get accustomed to the feeling that acoustic guitars have, they don't feel difficult at all. But at first, it is more difficult to hold the strings down than on electric guitar. This is a negative for younger students since it is harder to play and thus can be more discouraging if it is difficult to get a good sound from the guitar (ask your Right Start Music teacher for help to know if this is the case with your child). However, for students who are able to handle it, it is a benefit. If the student gets used to playing acoustic guitar, the transition to electric guitar is incredibly simple. It will almost feel like the guitar plays itself! But if a student starts to learn on an electric guitar, the jump to acoustic guitar can seem like another mountain to climb. So this aspect of acoustic guitar can be a benefit to some guitarists while being a detriment to other students.

The Benefits Of Electric Guitars For Beginning Students

Electric guitars have their own distinct benefits for some students. As discussed above, electric guitars are much easier to get a good sound out of than acoustic guitars. The student does not need to have nearly as much hand and finger strength in order to hold the strings down to produce the desired sound and resonance on an electric guitar. This means that electric guitars are better suited for many younger students who have smaller hands and have not "grown into" an acoustic guitar yet. Lessons can definitely seem to progress faster for many students when they play on an electric guitar for this simple reason.

Additionally, electric guitars can be plugged into an amplifier which can change the tone and overall sound of the guitar. Guitarists often love playing with the different tones that can be dialed into their amp, and younger students are no exception as they typically like to "rock out" with the high gain sounds so common in rock and roll music. Also, there is a volume control on both the guitar and amplifier, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. We think it should be turned up, but some neighbors may disagree!

Taking The Guitar Student's Musical Interests Into Account

The first step in choosing between acoustic or electric guitar is determining what the student is physically able to handle. As discussed above, an electric guitar may be necessary for younger students. Beyond that, however, the single most important factor is the student's musical interests and goals. If your daughter wants to play guitar and her favorite artist is Taylor Swift, most likely she is going to be interested in an acoustic guitar. If your son wants to learn guitar and his favorite artist is Metallica, we'd be willing to bet that he is most interested in an electric guitar.

At Right Start Music, our goal is to see our students grow to love music and become great musicians by practicing their instrument and playing the music they love. Our recommendation is always to buy your child an instrument that they are going to want to pick up and play. We have some female students with pink guitars that are not necessarily the best guitar, but if the fact that it is pink makes them want to pick it up and play more often, that is a better choice than a guitar of higher quality that she will not pick up. The point is for lessons to be fun. That way, students will want to learn and practice, and that makes all the difference in the world. So to sum it all up, first you must determine what your child is physically capable of playing, then decide what his or her musical interests are and then buy the guitar that they will be most likely to pick up and play on their own. When you see your child grow to love music, there is nothing else in the world like it!

We Are Here To Help You Make The Right Decision

We can make buying the right guitar a breeze when you set up your FREE consultation in your home. Whether you live in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, or Palos Verdes, we can point you in the right direction to find the best place to buy the guitar your child will love. We can even help you pick out the exact model guitar that will be the best fit for them. Give us a call at (310) 927-1733 to see how we can take the hassle out of getting started with guitar lessons and get your child paired with the perfect guitar teacher who can relate to them and make learning acoustic or electric guitar fun and easy!

At Right Start Music, we stay engaged with our students and families through weekly music lessons and developing great relationships. Similarly, we aim to stay engaged with the online community by bringing you relevant blog posts to help you understand more about different music related topics. From choosing the right keyboard, guitar, or drum set for your child to the incredible benefits of music education for kids, we will keep you informed with info to help your child succeed in music and become the best musician they can be.

For parents looking into voice lessons for their kids, we will share tips about learning how to sing and how to practice singing effectively to get the most out of voice lessons. For those interested in maximizing piano or keyboard lessons, we will talk about reading music, finger techniques, and which keyboards will work in your budget. Before starting guitar lessons, beginners wanting to learn to play the guitar definitely won't want to miss our discussions on choosing between acoustic guitar and electric guitar, plus which models are the best fit based on the student's age and favorite music style. And for those considering drum lessons, we will focus on which types of drum sets are best for certain students, drumming dos and don'ts, and which drummers are great influences to listen to. We will even discuss topics like helping your kids get the most out of flute lessons, violin lessons, and saxophone lessons so playing at school in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, and Palos Verdes music programs.

Join the Conversation and Share the Music!

Please feel free to comment or share what you read here. We want to hear from you! Whether you liked the information you received or you have questions or would like to suggest a new topic, we want to make you part of the conversation. Now that we've created our blog, check back regularly for news, tips, and other info on how to get the most out of music lessons. Thanks!